Newington Officials Renew Effort To Fix "Dangerous Intersection"

NEWINGTON -- About a decade after a failed effort, the town is considering a new attempt to fix the dangerous intersection of Alumni Road and Cedar Street.

"It's one of our most dangerous intersections," Police Chief Richard C. Mulhall told the town council last week. "In terms of the police department, we support this 110 percent."

To illustrate the danger, Mulhall said that of the 250 accidents at the intersection in the last 10 years, 33 resulted in major injuries.

Former Police Chief Richard Klett, the school system's security director, said the school board also favors improving the intersection. The high school football stadium and athletic facilities are located on Alumni Road.

"I feel strongly that a light there would certainly make it safer for the students, staff and those who come to our games," Klett said.

As a first step, Economic Development Director Andy Brecher asked the council last week for $15,000 to fund a traffic study. The study would be used to create a plan to submit to the state Department of Transportation, he said.

If approved by DOT, the state would likely foot 90 to 100 percent of the project's cost, Brecher said.

The intersection has long been a concern. About 10 years ago, the town rejected a plan that would have required the taking of two homes by eminent domain and a variety of road configurations.

"It was just considered too burdensome on the local neighborhood by the town, so they chose not to proceed," Brecher said.

Because there was too much traffic on Alumni Road, also home to numerous businesses, DOT erected a gate at its approximate middle so vehicles could no longer travel between Cedar Street and Willard Avenue.

About a year ago, Brecher said he approached DOT on behalf of a business seeking to have the gate open some of the time. Out of that grew the possibility of trying again to fix the Cedar Street intersection, Brecher said.

DOT told Brecher that a new plan would have much less impact on the neighborhood because of advances in traffic engineering and signaling, Brecher said.

"It really is now and has always been about safety," Brecher said. "The DOT knows it. We know it. We've just been fortunate that there's been no death there."

Brecher promised public hearings to get residents' input on any plan.

"I think the key is to have a consensus of the neighborhood," Town Manager John Salomone said.

Brecher estimated the work would take a minimum of two years to complete.

The council is expected to vote on funding the traffic study next month.